One of my early visits to the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba turned out to be a Karaoki Day.
Dave brought his Karaoki machine in and set it up and then he passed around the book with about a thousand songs to choose from. Different people were taking turns singing, groups, pairs, solos and it was a lot of fun. I was still having some trouble tolerating very much sound but I wanted so badly to be in there with everyone and to be laughing. I looked in the book and tried to pick our a song to sing and was so overwhelmed. I found it hard to read still and I had trouble identifying which song was which just by the title and artist. My memory was failing me once again. Then there was the whole issue of trying to make a decision.. as in "just go ahead and pick one!" really ? decide? how?
My eyes landed on the Beatles song "Blackbird". I had sung it at home with my kids years ago. I remembered my son singing it so beautifully that it could break your heart.
Frankly .. I remembered most of the lyrics for it and I wondered how well a song about broken wings was going to go over in a room filled with a bunch of disabled people that I had barely met. The thought scared me.
I just closed my eyes took a shaky breath, tried to forget the fact that I had a microphone in my hands, and I sang my little heart out. People were silent for a moment. I though "Oh no! I have done it this time".. and then they cheered me and applauded. I think that was the moment I realized I had found a new place where I can belong.
The song was featured on the hit TV series Glee last week, and I understand that the Glee rendition of my beloved song is rapidly climbing the current music charts. I love the Beatles original best, but the quality of this Sarah McLachlan version from youTube was the nicest one I found to share with you.
5 comments:
Glad you had a good time! I've never heard this song but thank you, very pretty. I would be cheering you on, as you know music is my thing lol. So glad you got to "fly" and feel a new experience.
During rehab at hospital we had music time, 30 minutes, on Tuesdays. I was still new to the idea of what my body was going through and having a semi-hard day. My OT wheeled me over and told me to enjoy. I was a little frustrated but there I was getting to pick out a few songs to sing. Instead of someone else singing the two older volunteers just listened to me while one played the piano. My voice surprised me, was a little off but not bad. I didn't want to stop after time was up. That was my turning point with wanting to sing again. Sending you hugs!!
Couldn't help thinking of
BLACK FLIES
Album : This Land is Your Land
(Wade Hemsworth)
The Travellers
Black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
'Twas early in the spring when I decided to go
for to work up in the woods in North Ontario
The unemployment office said they'd send me through
to the Little Abitibi with the survey crew
And the black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
Now then Black Toby was the captain of the crew
he said, "I'm gonna tell ya boys what we're gonna do.
The wanna build a power dam, we must find a way
for to make the Little Ab flow around the other way."
So we survey'd to the east survey'd to the west
Couldn't make our mind up how to do it best
Little Ab, Little Ab, what shall I do?
I'm all but going crazy with the survey crew.
And the black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
Now the bull cook's name was Blind River Joe
If it hadn'ta been for him we'da never pulled through
He bound our bruises and he kidded us for fun
He lathered us with bacon grease and balsam gum
And the black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
Twas black fly black fly everywhere
Crawlin' in your whiskers and a-crawlin' in your hair
They're swimmin' in the soup, swimmin' in the tea
Oh the devil take the black fly and let me be
And the black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
At last the job was over; Black Toby said we're through
With the Little Abitibi and the survey crew
Twas a wonderful experience and this I know
I'll never go again to North Ontario
Where the black fly, the little black fly
always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly pickin' my bones
in North Ontario
in North Ontario
And the video and song here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo
Sara I am glad you are wanting to sing too! I am surprised you missed hearing this Beatles classic before. You really should look up a Beatles rendition to listen to.
Dean... I haven't thought of that cartoon for a very long time. It used to be a film board filler on CBC years ago. You thinking of that one reminded me that you have gone on longer canoe trips. Personal experience with Black Flies Dean? lol
Linda
She's a wonderful singer...Sarah.
I write and maintain a spiritual blog which I have titled “AccordingtotheBook” and I’d like to invite you to follow it.
Lots of personal experience with black flies. They are extremely good at excising perfect circles behind your ears.
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